Leg muscle stretcher

ABSTRACT

The leg muscle stretcher is a device for stretching the leg muscle to alleviate cramping. The leg muscle stretcher includes three parts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap is adjustable in length to accommodate users of different heights.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/272,904, filed Nov. 17, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment. Morespecifically, the present invention is a leg muscle stretcher utilizedfor stretching the leg muscles to relieve cramps.

2. Description of the Related Art

Leg cramps, especially cramping in the calf muscle, can beexcruciatingly painful. Frequently, leg cramps occur while a person issitting or lying in bed. The usual remedy is to stand and perform anexercise to stretch the calf muscle and relieve the cramp.Unfortunately, getting out of bed or standing is difficult for peoplewho may be incapacitated for one reason or another. In these situationsit would certainly be a boon to have a simplistic device that could beused to alleviate the painful leg cramps. Thus a leg muscle stretchersolving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The leg muscle stretcher is a device for stretching the leg muscle toalleviate cramping. The device is simplistic and comprises only threeparts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap isadjustable to accommodate users of various heights.

Accordingly, the invention presents an exercise device that is compact,lightweight and highly portable. Although indicated to alleviate cramps,the device can also be employed to strengthen the leg muscle. The devicewould be a welcome adjunct in many venues including but not limited tohospitals, nursing homes, dialysis clinics, gyms, etc. The inventionprovides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for thepurposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effectivein accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a leg muscle stretcheraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a leg muscle stretcher according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the foot mat of a leg muscle stretcher accordingto the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the leg muscle stretcher is generally indicatedat 10. As indicated above, the device 10 comprises three parts: a handle12, a strap 14, and a foot mat 16. The handle 12 is a tube having openends 12 a and 12 b. The ends are rounded to prevent the presence ofsharp cutting edges. The handle 12 can be fabricated from almost anydurable, lightweight material (plastic, metal, hard rubber, etc.). Thestrap 14 is fabricated from waterproof nylon or a material similarthereto. A conventional adjustment buckle 15 receives the free ends 14a, 14 b of the strap 14, whereby the length of the strap 14 may beadjusted. The foot mat 16 comprises upper and lower unobstructed, planarsurfaces. The foot mat 16 is fabricated from a soft, flexible material,such as rubber. Slots 16 a and 16 b are positioned adjacent respectiveopposite ends of foot mat 16. The device is assembled by threading thestrap 14 through the foot mat 16 and handles 12 via respectiveslots/openings 16 a, 16 b, 14 a, 14 b and the buckle 15.

In use, the user's foot engages the upper surface of the foot mat 16 asshown in FIG. 1. The handle 12 is grasped and pulled toward the chest ofthe user. This simple action will function to alleviate the effects ofleg cramping.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A leg muscle stretcher, comprising: a foot mat made from a flexiblematerial; a strap member removably threaded through the foot mat; and ahandle member, the strap member being removably threaded through thehandle member.
 2. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, furtherincluding a strap adjusting buckle removably attached to said strapmember.
 3. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein saidhandle member is a tube having open ends.
 4. The leg muscle stretcheraccording to claim 1, wherein said foot mat has opposite ends, the footmat having slots positioned adjacent each of the opposing ends,respectively.
 5. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, whereinsaid foot mat has an unobstructed, planar upper surface.
 6. The legmuscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said strap member isfabricated from waterproof nylon material.
 7. A leg muscle stretcher,comprising: a foot mat made from a flexible material, the foot mathaving a planar, unobstructed upper surface; a strap member having firstand second free ends, the strap member being removably threaded throughthe foot mat; and a tubular, open-ended handle member, the strap memberbeing removably threaded through the tubular, open-ended handle member.8. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, wherein said foot mathas opposite ends and a slot defined therein adjacent each respectiveend, the strap member being threaded through the slots.
 9. The legmuscle stretcher according to claim 8, including a strap adjustingbuckle removably attached to said strap member, the strap adjustingbuckle receiving the first and second free ends of said strap membertherethrough.
 10. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, whereinsaid strap member is fabricated from waterproof nylon material.
 11. Amethod of relieving leg cramps in a person, comprising the steps of;providing a foot-engaging member having an unobstructed planar surfacefor engaging the person's foot; providing an adjustable strap removablyaffixed to the foot-engaging member; providing a handle removablyaffixed to the adjustable strap; adjusting the length of the strap sothat the handle can be engaged by the person's hands; and pulling thehandle toward the person's chest while maintaining the foot-engagingmember stationary, thereby stretching muscles of the leg to relieve theleg cramps.